Then there were three

For only the second time in 6 years, I was unable to be present for the ladies ride.  So I turned to my trusted leaders, set up three ‘events’ on facebook and asked people to ‘book on’ to help keep track of numbers.  The weather was forecast to be truly awful, and one leader went down with a tummy bug on the Friday.  There have also been a few comments recently that some people wanted a slower ride, so we had an additional ‘Slow and Steady’ category.  Catherine,  Jo-Anne and Alex  took to the front of each pack, and their accounts are below…

Jo Writes: The weather forecast on Friday evening reported heavy rain and strong winds. Saturday mornings after rising and walking over to open the curtains, I was feeling less than sprightly at the thought of cycling in the wet and wind. However, as I pulled the curtains open I was met with blue sky and sunshine. Yes, yes, yes! Not that it lasted but it helps to motivate one up and out.

Approximately 18 ladies met at Kingsway minus Sue, which felt rather strange. [awww - Sue]

There were 3 groups

Slow and steady led by Catherine

Regular led by me, Jo with help from Sharon

Further faster led by Alex with help from Gill

The regular group set off towards Guilden Sutton, through Mickle Trafford and on towards Picton and Little Stanney. The weather changeable as was the scenery - from country lanes and country views to industrial landscape and urban sprawl.  We cycled along the pavement/cycle path along the A5117 and then zigzagged through a housing estate, crossed the A41 and ventured towards Capenhurst where urban sprawl met country lanes once again. On through Ledsham and arriving at the legendary Eureka cafe at around 11.30 am and just ahead of the further faster group.

On leaving the Eureka a number of ladies were going to depart early for home, so the regular and faster further group joined forces and headed back together. Alex up at the front and me, Jo as back marker. We made our way along the Parkgate road to wood bank where we said Cheerio to Lisa, Sharon and Gill and then headed towards Saughall and the greenway back to Chester.

 Thanks everyone for your company.

Alex writes:  5 ladies went on the further faster ride, which ended up being 35 km. Trying to extend the route, we went out towards Mickle Trafford and wiggled around the lanes towards Backford. After that we picked up the bridle way towards Capenhurst, took turns opening the gates. We caught up with one of the other groups just as we were arriving at Eureka. The cafe and coffee was great. After a natter, the slower group set off first, while the two faster groups merged and set off for Woodbank, where we rode through an enormous puddle! We said goodbye to Lisa, Gill and Sharon who headed off towards Queensferry. We headed to Saughall, where Jo-Anne left us for home, and made our way to the Greenway. Rain, wind and hail greeted us along the greenway, but we all made it back in one piece.

Juliet (via facebook) - This was my first ride with the Fabulous Ladies. I had a fab time on Catherine's 'slow and steady' ride. Thanks very much!

Catherine - And lovely ride for my first time leading.   Very nice pace, company and fine weather. 

Juliet replied - Gosh, you would never have thought it was your first time leading! I thought you'd done it loads! You gave such clear instructions ahead of the route. Good job!!

No room at the Inn!

Each month I email out and post on facebook about the pending ride the following Saturday, and since our numbers swelled I have needed to know in advance to be sure we have enough leaders.  So, the week progressed and numbers of potential riders tipped over the 30 mark. Even with a few last minute drop outs they are usually matched by last minute attendees.  I phoned ahead to the cafe, and was assured that they had space for 40, so we should be OK.




I lost count this morning - I knew about a couple of cancellations, but also saw a few faces arrive that had not been able to confirm.  The sheets soon filled up - as soon as the longest distance was filled I called Jo and her group outside, assembled them, took a photo and sent them on their way.

Next up was my group, with an advertised 14 miles that I had actually re-planned to be about 15.  Looking a bit shiny in this photo - don't know why?!!!! (don't think flash was on?)

Welna led the third group, and posted a photo of her group.  They had a planned 9 miles out to the Rake and back along through Picton.  Her route can be found on the fab ladies facebook group.




Linda took the fourth group, which was originally 9 but became 11 miles.

As we rode, the clouds from the rain earlier in the morning gave way to blue skies.  The roads were wet with many large puddles and nearly floods, and a little bit muddy too.  I was so busy chatting to Wendy about California that I forgot to turn off and my amended 15 miles became 16 - but I do not think anyone noticed!

Heading out along the Greenway

Leaving Greenway at Saughall - now blue skies!

Heading to Mollington

I did notice two large clumps of Mistletoe in a tree at the junction of Picton lane and Mannings Lane, in Mickle Trafford.  That is quite unusual this far north, usually mistletoe is around Hereford and that area.  

Jo's group, taken by Gill C.  Not sure where!

However - when we did arrive at Meadow Lea Farm cafe, it was bursting at the seams!  Welna and Linda's groups had arrived just before the Wrexham Cafe Hoppers, who took the last seats.  Even though we had phoned ahead!  Then Jo's group turned up, which meant there were twenty of us looking for a seat.  The decision was made to head back to Kingsway cafe as it is only 2 miles up the Greenway!

This we duly did - or about a dozen of us did - only to meet the rest of the Wrexham cafe hoppers who also could not get a seat at Meadow Lea.  

It was a long cafe stop - no rush as nearly home!  Cafe also report record takings for a Saturday!!

Last windy ride of the year

It's December, nearly Christmas, so it must be time to make our annual pilgrimage to Walk Mill near Waverton.

16 riders turned up on what seemed a cold but increasingly sunny morning.  The temperature appeared to rise as the sun came out, but by the time we left the cafe the wind was starting to build up.

We sent Linda off with the further faster group, and I led the other group up the Greenway to Mickle Trafford.  

As we reached the end of the Greenway, who should shoot along the road but Linda and her ladies!

Lit up by the sun - look! shadows!

Crossing the A51 was interesting, due to huge volumes of traffic it took us a while to all get across.  But eventually we did, and could continue into the headwind and round to Christleton.  

Relaxing in the cafe, with odd trips to the map on the wall to show people how to get home.  If I wait long enough, there are only a few to take back to the cafe - before it rains!

Leaving Walk Mill

Tinselly bikes - you have to look closely!

16 riders in two groups, with 16 miles and 22 miles respectively.

Have a very merry Christmas, everyone!

Never mind the Bollards!

November ladies ride, shortly after bonfire night and before remembrance Sunday.  The morning dawned bright and sunny, with blue sky and very little cloud.  Quite cold but not yet frosty.

Twenty cyclists gathered (eventually - Alex succumbed to a drawing pin, experienced by Linda last month). We were quite delayed leaving,partly waiting for Alex, then an ominous bulge in a front tyre which meant we had to send Lisa back to her car to sort it out and re-pump; then words were had with a member of the residents committee re: parking and 'cycling on footpaths' - but eventually we were able to set off.

My second group nearly caught up with Linda and Jo's first group at the Old Dee Bridge; they then headed to Eccleston whilst we nipped through Catholic High school and Dukes Drive to Westminster park and out on Lache Lane to Kinnerton.

We passed within 50 yards of the cafe - but don't tell anyone!

Approaching Kinnerton

Autumn lanes

At Kinnerton I had a 10 mile route to the cafe planned, but a slower member had held us back a little (they did go straight to the cafe with Gill) so I dropped a couple of miles and we tiddled round the lovely lanes from Kinnerton Green to Burton Green.  With the sun still shining we headed left towards Burton - and passed Linda and her group going the other way! smiles and waves all round (too quick to get my camera out!)




We got to the cafe before the other group, and were able to get served and sat before they came in.

We gathered for a quick photo before we set back off - nearly all of us for the photo that is!

leaving Chester Lakes

On the direct return via Lache Lane - still in blue skies and with the warm sun shining - I noted an incredibly large and unusual looking cloud

 lurking to our right - very pretty but also very suspicious.  Partly because of that and partly as I had quite a large group and did not want to try to negotiate town (Christmas shopping in full swing!) I led the group on a slightly circuitous route from the college round Handbridge and Queens Park, to cross on the suspension bridge (which we walked across!).  On arrival via Boughton to the Canal near Harkers - the towpath was awash - there had clearly been a recent downpour here.  I pointed out to the ladies that this was the reason we had wandered around south Chester!

wet canalside!

crossing to Dukes Drive

through the trees

20 riders, two groups, both cycled 17 miles out, and returned to complete 25 miles for the morning!

(I did not explain the title...shortly before the photo of us crossing the road Jane managed to fall sideways - I maybe did not shout clearly enough that we were stopping - or it may be one of those clipless pedal moments.  Shortly after the second photo above, as all the ladies tried to pass through a gateway with a lone bollard another lady also tippled off.  Blame it on the bollard!  All were OK.)





1 minute after I got home and put my bike away the most incredible hail shower (and thunder) fell - you can see the hailstones on my driveway here!!!

Autumn hills and tracks

Time to dig out the winter jackets and gloves - until you hit the first hill!  

 21 ladies congregated at the cafe for the October ladies ride.   I was welcoming all as usual, answering the multitude of questions and catching up with people, as I realised I was surrounded by riders but no leaders yet!  I do not get chance to hear or answer my phone, so was not aware that Linda had punctured on her way in - met by Joanne and helped by a few passing chaps (they do love to help out a damsel or two in distress, and there is no harm in accepting help if it means a speedy tube change!).  We compared routes, selected a group and dragged the women out of the cafe.


I sent Linda off with the further faster group first; shortly followed by Joanne who led out on the greenway.  We then headed up Mannings Lane to cross by the lights - and then down to Mickle Trafford.  We followed the Cheshire Cycleway to Manley, before sidling off to the left and up a sneaky hill.  There then followed a small discussion and advice about using gears on hills - when you are very used to gears and your bike it is easy to forget how confusing it can be - and how hard it makes it if you select the wrong one going up a hill.







Continuing to Manley common and down Dark Ark Lane - what a great name! - and under the railway before climbing - all a bit up and down really.  I was getting blamed as I said the hill from Manley was the last one - well, maybe one little fib is needed now and then to keep us going!








We ended a little strung out on the last hill, so I was trying to direct the ones at the front to the next turn off (trying to remember where it was) and then trying to be at the back also to make sure everyone was OK and still standing!  We re-grouped at the junction,before heading into Delamere Forest along Forest Farm road which takes you directly to the cafe at Linmere.

On arrival we took over all the cycle stands, then took over half the cafe!

There was much trying on of cycle tops, as the ladies decided which size they would be better choosing in the next top order.  I knew there was a reason to have our names on the tops, as several were passed between each other!










 Time to leave - back on forest farm road so we left as one group, intending to follow the same route but with the second group leaving a respectable gap to allow cars to pass if necessary.  


The road to Kelsall contours through little spurs of forest, and with glorious views across Ashton and fields with sheep to rather black and grisly looking Welsh hills.  At Kelsall we all caught up, before heading down the hill.  This is the last I saw of Joanne's group, as we turned left near the bottom, but it is a hard turn to see and Joanne and her ladies sailed past enjoying the hill too much!  Following a vote when they reached the A54, they retraced the short distance to the missing turn and followed on.  By now, however there was quite a large gap and despite waiting at Tarvin, we did not see them.

Apparently, they found a fab roadside cake stall,so had to stop and check that out!








I led my group right towards Tarvin, then we turned left alongside the new houses to follow Broomheath lane and across the A51.

As we were heading to Waverton, Mary dropped back as she had a fly in her eye.  It was only when she rejoined us at Walk Mill that she explained she was missing a lens from her glasses - which was where the fly headed!

I had a lunch date so sent the final three on to Kingsway, others had split earlier.

Views of New Zealand

Not actually an evening just for ladies; but one led by a special lady.


The Face book event blurb read...."In early 2011 Emma cycled the length of New Zealand, starting in Cape Reinga at the top of north island, to Bluff at the bottom of south island. This was a completely solo unsupported expedition, on a fully loaded touring bike. Emma carried everything for the whole duration of the trip completely on her own. The total mileage was nearly 1800 miles over 28 days, incorporating unbelievable climbs, fantastic scenery, tears, sunburn and many other trials and tribulations each and everyday.  Emma has a fascinating story to tell which should make for a very interesting and entertaining evening."

What an interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes awesome tale, told with such enthusiasm!  Emma started in the north island, which looked fabulously tropical; suffered serious sandfly bites, had all sorts of weather, superb scenery, busy towns, lots of amazingly friendly people.  She was on the national radio - several times.  Emma showed us video clips, and shared her travelling friend, Kevin the Kiwi, with us.

Emma can probably add more information...I'm afraid I did not take notes!

The bike factory did us proud again with wine, drinks,cakes, nibbles.  The fodder was supplemented by Ruth, with her 'fuelled by cake' book promo; and examples from the pages were passed around.

Copies of this book are available from Ruth, all monies going to charity.  They are usually available on the ladies rides!

A very informal affair

It came to my attention recently that following the opening of a new cycle route (actually I am sure it is a shared route!) across Burton Marshes, a new cafe had promptly opened up.

This had to be investigated!

The ride to Net's cafe is entirely off road (apart from the industrial estate but that is quiet at the weekend); so rather than splitting into groups I decided to have a couple of leaders at the front and two at the back to make sure no-one was left behind.

25 ladies met among the usual hubbub in Kingsway cafe - which feels like home now!!!  As we were leaving a few cyclists were arriving - I said it was OK, we were leaving- to which he said 'why is it when we arrive all the ladies leave!!!'.  They were from Southport, had come to Chester by train and were going to cycle back. One of them knows Juliette, the lady who set up and leads the Southport Bicycle Belles.  Small (cycling) world!  Anyway,one of them very kindly took our start up group photo (whilst the other chaps took photos of us with their cameras too!!!)

Setting off across Lime Tree Fields

Crossing blue bridge over
main road near Sealand

Off we went, although the car that stopped to let us across the zebra crossing had a bit of a shock!  The weather was dry but a little grey, and as we crossed the railway we had a flypast from the red arrows.  I was not quick enough with my camera, so I have used the image I found for last time we saw them on a ladies ride.  They were on their way to Southport Air Show.





When we got to the turn off we waited to re-group before the slightly more complicated 'zone 3'.  As we waited I was told there had been a puncture; but the lady in question I knew would be able to fix it; and also knew that my back stop ladies would be coming through.

As the waiting group grew, I thought it may be wise to send half on ahead so that orders could be got in and to avoid too long a queue at the counter.  Seconds later it rained - sorry girls!!!

Puncture fixed - and mucky hands to proove it!

Crossing the Boardwalk

Approaching Burton Point

Finally all came through, and we could then continue to the cafe, negotiating the roads and junctions.  The route is very well signposted now, and soon enough we were on the short boardwalk by Burton point, a wonderful sandstone bluff.





Net's cafe is just along from the gates, and has lots of outdoor seating; which was fortunate as it was by now gloriously sunny and warm.  Then it is just down to the serious business of refreshments and conversation - something all the ladies excel at!!!!

Net's cafe

Heading home was the usual 'ten little indians' - or in this case 30 little Indians (4 ladies met us at the cafe and I found another one on the greenway heading home - so technically 30 ladies were out!) as people split off to head home- or for some reason in several cases to go and get their hair cut!  Ah where is the Cycletta village when you need it!!!!

24 miles, 25 riders (+5!)